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Two teen activists gunned down in Libya

Two men hug during the funeral for Libyan activist Tawfik Bin Saud in Benghazi on September 20, 2014. Tawfik was killed, along with a friend, late on September 19, by unknown gunmen. (AFP/ ABDULLAH DOMA)

The Libyan city of Benghazi was rocked by a series of targeted killings on Thursday and Friday night, leaving 10 people dead including officials, journalists and activists. Among the slain were 18-year-old Tawfik Bensaud and 17-year-old Sami El-Kawafi, both activists. Bensaud and El-Kawafi were reportedly shot and killed by a group of men while driving through central Benghazi on Friday.

The identity of the shooters is not known, but many blame the attacks on armed groups operating in Benghazi. Bensaud, a blogger, was considered one of the country's prominent youth voices calling for a civil movement. Many took to social media to discuss the killings

Two teen activists gunned down in Libya

Youth leaders among a string of targeted killings in Benghazi.

In an article published not long before his death, Bensaud was quoted saying:

“A military movement alone can’t solve the crisis; there must a civil movement that works parallel to it. If youth are given a chance, they can find a peaceful solution. My message to Libya’s youth is, you are powerful and you can make change. You just need to take the opportunity and act.”lyvoices.org

Twitter was filled with tributes to the young activists.

A friend remembers a "cheerful, passionate" Libya activist by RFIThere has been an outpouring of grief in Benghazi after the assassination of nine Libyan rights activists and army officers. The victims include Tawfik Bensaud, a 20-year-old youth activist, blogger and RFI contributor who had chronicled his city's descent into chaos. Aladdin Attiga, one of his friends, says it's a dark hour for Libya.

They're targeting the youth cause they know they are Libya's future. They're afraid the youth will take power from them. #Libya #BenghaziFadwa فدوى

Victims ranging from army officers & Imams to men & women to elderly & youth- what kind of murderous monster are we up against in #Benghazi?Hanan Ghosheh

At least 10 people were gunned down in a string of targeted killings in the span of 24 hours. No one has claimed responsibility over the deaths. Below is a list of names the Libyan Youth Movement says were targeted.